Wellington Phoenix seek clarity as A-League future looks bleak

The Wellington Phoenix will be seeking clarity after their bid for a 10-year licence extension was rejected by Football Federation Australia.

However, given FFA boss David Gallop’s assertion that the board’s unwillingness to stretch their life beyond that was “in the best interests of Australian football”, to stay until 2019/20 may only prolong the inevitable.

Gallop cited game development, player pathways, commercial factors and broadcast rights as factors for the board’s rebuttal following protracted negotiations with Phoenix owners Welnix, who were pushing for long-term sustainability.

New Zealand’s only professional football club will be seeking greater clarity around the reasons for rejection of the proposal and how the FFA is evaluating the Phoenix’s contribution to game development, player pathway, commercial factors, broadcast rights and the long-term success of the A-League,.

The financial element aside, the club has the added complication of distance and the fact that it falls under the Oceania Football Confederation and not Asia, like the competition’s nine Australian outfits.

If Wellington were to leave, it would present an opportunity for a 10th Australian team to enter the league as a replacement and fuels reports of a potential new franchise in southern Sydney.